In this episode of The Willpower Podcast, I sit down with Michael Cox — a musician, entrepreneur, and creative powerhouse — to uncover the real story behind building a dream from scratch.

We pull back the curtain on the dark side of ambition: 20-hour workdays, sleepless nights, undercharging for your value, and the emotional toll of turning your passion into a paycheck. Michael gets raw about accountability struggles, entrepreneurial growing pains, and how to keep the spark alive when survival mode kicks in.

This isn’t just a conversation — it’s a mirror for anyone chasing a creative dream while trying to stay whole in the process.

🌟 In this episode, we explore:

• Why pricing yourself right is an act of self-respect

• The hidden dangers of the 24/7 hustle mentality

• How accountability can fuel (or fracture) your growth

• Turning creativity into a business — without losing your passion

• Real-life lessons from launching a music studio and navigating entrepreneurship

🎧 Whether you're an artist, freelancer, business owner, or side hustler trying to balance ambition with sanity — this one’s for you.

👋 I’m William — host of The Willpower Podcast and creator behind this channel, where we dive into self-discipline, habits, and building a life you actually want. If you’re here to grow stronger, stay focused, and enjoy the process — welcome.

📌 Stay connected:
🌐 Website: www.williammulvaney.com
🎙️ The Willpower Podcast:
→ Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/willpower-Podcasts
→ Apple: https://tinyurl.com/willpower-podcast
→ Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/willpower-podcast-Amazon
📸 Instagram: @willpower_lifestyle

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⏱️ Timestamps:
0:00:00 – Intro
0:00:34 – Welcome to The Willpower Podcast
0:00:56 – How Michael opened his own music studio
0:01:24 – Has running a business changed his love for music?
0:02:20 – Creativity vs. professionalism: finding balance
0:04:10 – When passion turns into a paycheck
0:06:35 – The truth behind 20-hour days
0:09:20 – Burnout, health crashes, and redefining success
0:12:15 – Accountability: the silent growth driver
0:15:00 – Why pricing low is costing you more
0:18:10 – Gaining confidence by charging your worth
0:22:00 – Bad clients and setting boundaries
0:25:45 – Why trusting your gut matters
0:28:30 – Balancing money, meaning, and integrity
0:31:40 – Patience as a success strategy
0:35:00 – Building the right team: friends vs. fits
0:39:15 – Systems, scaling, and not losing your soul
0:43:30 – Insecurity and imposter syndrome
0:47:00 – Keeping the passion alive after success
0:50:45 – Advice for creatives starting out
0:54:20 – Mastery over fast money
0:58:00 – Coping with failure — publicly and privately
1:01:30 – Redefining what it means to “win”
1:05:00 – Final thoughts: vision, legacy, and staying accountable
1:09:30 – Where to find Michael Cox